CurrentReport Blog In a recent development, the Nigerian Senate has voiced its condemnation over the tragic killing of 16 soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta State. The incident, which occurred last Thursday during a peacekeeping mission between the warring communities of Okuama and Okolobia in Bomadi Local Government Council, has been described as a national disaster by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua.
Senator Yar’adua, representing Katsina Central Senatorial District, moved the motion during the Senate session, urging his fellow Senators to denounce the ambush and subsequent killing of the soldiers in the strongest terms possible. He emphasized the severity of the loss, including a Commanding Officer, two majors, a Captain, and twelve soldiers, underscoring the threat it poses to national security and stability.
The tragedy unfolded when troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion responded to a distress call amid the communal crisis. According to reports, the soldiers were surrounded by youths from the Okuama community and met a violent end, despite their mission to restore peace in the region.
Senator Yar’adua also highlighted the issue of inadequate police personnel, which has compelled the military to assume responsibilities beyond their mandate, including tackling internal crises and organized crime. This shift, he argued, has stretched the military thin and compromised its ability to protect the nation’s territorial integrity effectively.
Echoing Yar’adua’s sentiments, Senator Dafinone Edeh Omueya, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, condemned the killings while also expressing concern over the military’s reprisal attacks on Okuama. He emphasized the importance of handling the situation delicately to prevent further escalation of violence and called for justice tempered with mercy.
The sentiments expressed by Senators resonated throughout the chamber, with many emphasizing the unjustifiable nature of the soldiers’ deaths in a time of peace. Senate President Godswill Akpabio reiterated the Senate’s reliance on the ongoing military investigation, expressing hope for a thorough inquiry into the matter.
